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The Chisel looks to be a good bike, it's very new so I doubt many people have ridden one yet. I would also consider looking at the Canyon Grand Canyon SLX 9.9 Trail, has a higher spec (X1/XO1 Eagle bits) for the same price (depending on where you're based)

"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." Oscar Wilde

The spesh has typical current XC geometry. If you are going to ride significant amounts of single track, the canyon would be much more fun. Better kit, more travel/slacker and has a dropper. All of which makes it heavier and boring if all you will be riding is fire road.

I would steer you towards the Canyon at that price point mainly because the Specialized mountain wheels are garbage until you get to the level where they are using DT internals. I used to work at a dealer and all of the freehubs on their budget and even bikes that are in the 2-3k range fail. The Canyon also just has way better parts all around. The current gen Performance Fox stuff works really well and the frames are going to not have much between them.

As per one of the posters above, what's your intended use? I have a Whyte 905 which I love, but it's a trail bike, very slack and great for throwing about. It's not what you'd choose to ride fast fire roads though.

For winter gravel/fire roads I'd stick to cx/gravel bikes. An XC will make those rather boring. I don't mean that XC bikes are boring, and if you had one, I would probably recommend not to bother with a gravel bike.